The history and customs of Novruz
From the four Wednesdays to the festive table — the customs of our oldest holiday, which welcomes the coming of spring.
Novruz is a great cultural event that embodies the material and spiritual values of the Azerbaijani people. The holiday is devoted to the end of winter and the coming of spring — the day when night and day become equal. Its roots are very ancient, and today it is still celebrated with ceremony in Azerbaijan, across the Turkic world and in many neighbouring countries.
In the Soviet era Novruz was not officially celebrated, yet every Azerbaijani family stayed true to a tradition handed down over centuries and kept the holiday alive in its own home.
Preparations begin four weeks before the holiday: the Water, Fire, Wind and Earth Wednesdays. According to belief, on the first Wednesday the water is renewed, on the second the fire, on the third the wind awakens, and on the fourth the earth comes to life and spring knocks at the door.
On the eve of the last Tuesday, bonfires are lit, and young and old leap over them, saying «My pallor to you, your glow to me». The fire is never put out with water; once it dies down, its ashes are carried far from the house — and the burdens of the year go with them. Jumping over running water is also considered a cleansing from the weight of the old year.
The customs of the holiday are countless: tossing a hat, eavesdropping fortunes, ring fortunes, egg tapping, sprouting wheat. The Kos-kosa square game and the jests of Kechal and Kosa are the holiday's best-loved symbols.
The festive table receives special attention: it must hold delicacies whose names begin with the letter «s» — «sumax» (sumac), «sirkə» (vinegar), «süd» (milk), «səməni» (sprouted wheat), «səbzi» (herbs). A mirror stands for clarity, a candle for light and fire, and painted eggs adorn the table. It is said that «whoever is not at home on the festive day will long for home for seven years» — so on the first day of the year everyone stays at home, and the lights are left burning all night.
The traveller Adam Olearius, who witnessed the Novruz celebrations in Azerbaijan in 1637, wrote that as soon as the astrologer determined the moment of the equinox with a sundial and proclaimed «The New Year has come!», volleys were fired and music rang out from the towers of the city. Today Novruz is still welcomed with the same joy — tables are laid and we take gifts to one another.
Süfrə